Julio Macat – Daddy’s Home 2

Cinematographer Julio Macat on the set of the comedy sequel "Daddy's Home 2."

When it comes to awards for the best cinematography in Hollywood, directors of photography working in the comedy genre rarely get a glance their way when it comes to end-of-the-year recognition. That doesn’t bother Argentinean cinematographer Julio Macat, however. He lives for the work itself and doesn’t see awards as something that has eluded him during his 30-year career in Hollywood.

Over the last three decades, Macat has been the man behind the camera in a handful of popular comedies, including “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “Wedding Crashers.” His most recent film is “Daddy’s Home 2,” the sequel to the 2015 Will Ferrell/Mark Wahlberg comedy, which he also photographed.

During our interview, Macat, 58, talked to me about working with director Sean Anders for the third time, what Mel Gibson was like on the set and if he thinks cinematographers working in the comedy genre should get more respect in the industry.

How did you get involved with “Daddy’s Home 2?” I know you’ve worked with director Sean Anders before, including on the original film.

Yeah, this is our third time working together. We also did “Horrible Bosses.” I thought the original “Daddy’s Home” was a really nice comedy that doesn’t go for the grotesque or have swear words. It elevates the acting performances of people like Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. I love the movie to begin with. It was fun and it was so well received by the audience. It was fun that we could do it all over again in a sequel.

But the old adage is that sequels are never as good as the original. Did you worry about that?

You always worry that a sequel could fall flat or won’t be as good as the first. With this movie it was the opposite. The additions of John Lithgow and Mel Gibson elevated the movie to another level. It’s like you’re driving along and all of a sudden, here you go again. They had to find somebody tough enough to play Mark Wahlberg’s dad. I think the casting was good. You could not work with better, more talented actors. These guys are incredible. They brought their A game. We all had a good relationship as director and cinematographer and crew. Everybody set the right mode for comedy to happen. Comedy is not an easy thing to do.

Is having a longstanding, working relationship with a specific director the dream of all cinematographers?

It is. It’s really good because you have a short hand. I’ve worked with other directors on more than one occasion before like with Tom Shadyak (“Ace Ventura: Pet Detective”) and with Adam Shankman (“The Wedding Planner”). It’s nice to be able to cut to the chase. There is a trust that already exists, especially on this film because it was a Christmas movie. We wanted to set that feeling for the holidays. It was a perfect setup for some really fun comedy. What makes every comedy great is the heart involved. Will Ferrell makes it even better. But it’s the heartwarming moments that make this film.

We’re at the end of the year, which means it’s awards season. Not many cinematographer who do work on comedies like you get recognition at this time of the year. Do you think the industry gives enough credit to cinematographers who work in the comedy genre?

You know, it’s an interesting question. I’ve learned through the years not to read your own press. I’ve learn how at end, you just have to please yourself. I don’t approach photographing this movie any different than I would a drama. The beautiful Christmas setting would still be beautiful. The moments that are supposed to be more dramatic aren’t going to be lit less dramatically. So, I wish there was more recognition for the comedy genre, but we don’t do this for awards. We’re trying to do the very best job we can do as cinematographers, make the actors look great and shoot scenes that are proper for the story. This is what we live for. In the end, we’re our own worst critics. For me, the award is that people will see it and feel it.

I’m a big Mel Gibson fan. I was glad he was able to get the recognition he deserved last year when he was nominated for directing “Hacksaw Ridge.” Do you think the industry has forgiven him for his past indiscretions?

I believe so. He is very professional. One of my favorite moments was at the end of the movie, he came up to me and everybody and wanted to take pictures with everybody. He said he didn’t know what to expect when he came on the set of something that was more on the light side, but he immediately felt everyone had their act together and that there was no ego. He did a tremendous job. He’s really good in the movie. It’s not for me to say [if the industry has forgiven him], but all I can tell you is that he was super professional.

You’re colleague Roger Deakins is 0-13 at the Oscars. Do you think this year is finally his year?

If I can vote twice for “Blade Runner [2049]” I would. I think Roger, who is a friend, deserves the Oscar. I thought he did a tremendous job of taking what was originally super tricky – all of those wonderful things that were done on the original – to the next level. I think it’s exquisite work. I have no doubts that he’s going to win the Oscar.